John John Florence Keeps His Eyes on Pipeline Prize

While Sunset was firing on opening day of the Vans World Cup reigning World Champ and current World Title contender John John Florence was staying busy close to his Pipeline backyard, a stretch of beach that's also doing its thing this week. With Gabriel Medina hot on his heels heading into the Billabong Pipe Masters, where the men's World Title will be decided, Florence has elected to withdraw from the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach to stay focused on his primary goal: Retaining his Title as World Champion.

"It was a difficult decision for me," Florence said after making the announcement. "As much as I enjoy competing at home, I want to fully prepare for and focus on the Pipe Masters."